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Puerto Rico House Rental - Family with two college students

My husband and I would like to take my son and daughter (23 and 18) to Puerto Rico in early January (only time we can coordinate such an event). We'd like to rent a two bedroom, two bath place, hopefully near beaches, but also near to life, culture and fun so that our kids won't feel like they are isolated in a retirement community. Frankly, I am overwhelmed by the choices on sites such as VRBO etc., and I would love some help narrowing down the options. Any suggestions?

always ask for the pictures of the rented house/apartment you are going to stay in ... that is a way to just confirm that the place would be good... this is what i did while i house rental st lucia through www.stlucia.cc

Puerto Rico is a big island (3,500+ sq. miles) with some 350+ miles of coastline. Where in PR are you planning to go for your vacation? How long are you planning to stay? Also, what is your rental budget? Also, when you say "near beaches" - define what "near" means to YOU - a few feet, a few blocks, a few miles????? Are you looking to rent a house or would a condo work for you?

We'd be happy in a condo or a house, and we can only stay a week as the kids are in college. I would like to be near enough to the ocean to walk there. As we only have a week, I don't want to spend hours and hours getting there once we actually land in Puerto Rico. Is $2000 a reasonable price for such a situation?

$2000/ week is a reasonable budget for accommodation for 2 bed. Plus I'd recommend car hire for the week which would likely cost not much more than taxi rides to/from the airport if your destination is outside San Juan/ Condado area.

You will need to do a little more research to find a place that suits you..
For example do your young adults want most?
a surf beach, outdoor/ water sport activities and laid back nightlife OR beach plus buzzing social scene with late night clubs OR rain forest hiking

Rincon = laid back surfer paradise about 2 hours from San Juan.. not a retirement community but not party central either
Condado/Isla Verde area much closer to San Juan ( about 30 minutes or so ) more nightlife
Etc

VRBO is a good site in my opinion as you can search availability, number of bedrooms, location easily and hopefully find a place with many positive reviews.

I'd also do some research on Tripadvisor to help you narrow down where you'd rather be.

We are taking our two high school boys to Puerto Rico for 2 weeks in December. We are spending one of the weeks in a 2 bedroom house in Rincon. They love the water - surf, scuba, bodyboarding...and they are too young to drink so nightlife isn't a requirement.

My husband and I have stayed there before so we know it's a great little town. But it has great beaches and restaurants - very low key with a Caribbean vibe.

If your kids are more the nightlife types - stay along Condado or Isla Verde area. The beaches are nice too, but the area is more built up so not a little more "Miami" than Caribbean. Not sure if there are houses there, but condos for sure.